Ballarat West LPO manager Alyson Rose was preparing to open her post office when two cars collided at the corner of Sturt Street and Ascot Street North at 6.58am.

“It's nearly a weekly occurrence,” she said.

Mrs Rose thinks one of the biggest issues is people exiting the United petrol station too quickly, leaving drivers crossing the road little time to react.

Over her 15 years working at the location she said she had seen too many accidents to count and feared it was only a matter of time until someone died at the intersection.

“Sadly we just know now to grab a phone and run out to check if people are okay. It's really sad that's it's only a matter of time before someone is killed there. I don't want my staff to go through that.”

Mrs Rose has called upon drivers to be more careful and read the road signs when reaching the intersection.

“It says 'Give Way'. People need to think about how their action can affect not only themselves but those around them. You'd rather get somewhere late and alive then rush and be killed.”

Ian Tantau from Country Casseroles says the issue has gone beyond telling people to drive safer.

Over his nine years working directly across from the intersection, he believes actions need to be taken to make it safer.

“It’s all well and good to tell people to drive better or read the signs but the accidents keep happening – something needs to be done,” he said.

“We’re sitting people down outside the shop all the time making sure they’re okay, it’s not a very fun experience. We’re just dreading the day something really bad happens.”

Mr Tantau told The Courier Country Casseroles fully supports the implementation of traffic lights to help reduce the amount of accidents.

“We don’t want the intersection to be closed – that’ll only hurt businesses. Putting in traffic lights seems to make the most sense.”

Mrs Rose remains unsure.

“I don't know what would help, they could put traffic lights in but there are still accidents at lights all the time.

“The main issue is people just making the wrong decision. Pay attention, respect the road rules and no one will get hurt.”

One driving instructor has pointed the finger squarely at road users after another crash at a Sturt Street intersection.

Max Ingram from Maxi Pass Driving School Ballarat has been living and teaching drivers in Ballarat for the past 15 years and believes the city is plagued by bad drivers.

“Intersections aren’t the issue – it’s the terrible drivers,” he said.

“You just see so many people driving around trapped in their own world, without a care for the people around them. Those are the people who are causing the accidents.”

Mr Ingram said the rapid growth in population had also contributed to the increase of accidents in the region.

“It’s becoming like Melbourne. There’s more traffic, which means people need to be more aware of their surroundings.”

Mr Ingram, who is originally from the United Kingdom, believes tests need to be made more challenging for youths before they get their licence.

“A half-hour test isn’t enough. It should be extended to an hour or even an hour-and-a-half to make sure people can be tested in all the situations they are going to face on the roads.”

Bringing in mandatory testing every two years for residents over 70-years-old would also be beneficial.

“That’s how it’s done in England, I couldn’t see why it couldn’t work here.” 

The instructor says people need to simply be more aware of their surroundings when behind the wheel.

“It comes down to the individual in the end. All drivers need to eliminate distractions in the car, whether it be your phone or your friends. There are enough things to distract you out on the roads.”

Mr Ingram did endorse the P-Plate system.

On average there are over eight serious accidents along the six major Sturt Street intersections each year.

Statistics supplied by VicRoads to The Courier reveal 85 separate crashes at the intersections of Sturt Street and Ascot Street, Lyons Street, Windemere Street, Talbot Street, Errard Street and Raglan Street. 

Ascot Street, as seen by Thursday morning’s crash, came through sporting the worst numbers. 

The intersection tops the list with 22 incidents over the past 10 years, followed closely by Talbot Street and Lyons Street which sport numbers of 19 crashes and 16 crashes respectively.

These statistics only include crashes that have been reported to VicRoads.

Police and VicRoads have previously said a combined approach was needed to sort out what was causing these incidents.

VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said in June 2018 VicRoads discussions with Sturt Street traders were “progressing positively”.

"We're continuing to discuss a number of potential approaches to limiting the safety issues associated with Sturt Street,”he said.